Proper C11 - July 22nd 2007
Readings Genesis 18:1-10a The Lord appears to Abraham and tells him that "Sarah will have a son". Psalm 15 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? The answer - whoever leads an uncorrupt life, which mean speaking the truth from he heart, doing no evil to our friend or neighbour, keeping your word, lends money wthour profiteering, and not tking bribes. Alterntive answer - "not many" because who qualifies? The psalmist doesn't say we need the mercy of God - but we do because who is sqeaky clean? Colossians 1:15-28 Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Luke 10:38-42 - Martha and Mary | Martha and Mary by He Qi
| Martha's emphasis was on being a host of Jesus. Mary's emphasis was on being a guest of Jesus This story is only in Luke's gospe. It comes after the story of the Good Samaritn, in which the priest and levite are preoccupied with their own business and don't come to the help of the victim. In this gospel martha is preoccupied by her business. All the jobs she thinks she has to do - keepin in control of her life, creating the right impression, instead of opening herself to their guest Jesus. She would not have been able to hear him above the clatter of the pans in the kitchen. Martha can't let herself relax. Mary might have bee a good worker ordinarily, but she knows when to stop - when to pray, when to listen. She is the one who "receiver her guest". There is a parallel between Martha and the elder dutiful brother in the story of the Prodigal Son. The curse of sibling rivalry. Jesus tells Martha that she is "anxious and worried" about many things. Luke Timothy Johnson (SACRA PAGINA, page 174) says that in the original these terms suggest: being "anxious" about the entanglements of life in the world and "making an uproar." Johnson goes on to say that Jesus' response, "there is a need for only one thing," had been variously interpreted. Some say Jesus is suggesting she could have served fewer dishes, just "one" of a "few." But Johnson thinks Jesus is responding to the virtue of hospitality, that is, the importance of paying attention to the guest. That's what's important. Everything else is secondary. So, Mary made the right choice. Mary's way of being hospitable was not only to welcome the Prophet in their home but to also listen to his words. She has done what people should do---listen to the one who speaks God's word---"the one thing necessary." |
